CSL: Common Questions

What machines are available for general login? For remote login?

Users may of course use their
desktop machines for all of their
work. In addition there is a pool of Linux compute servers
(linux.cs.duke.edu) which can be used for intensive
computations. For remote access and for general application computing,
we also maintain Solaris login servers (login.cs.duke.edu);
we request that you do not run CPU-intensive computations on these machines.

Remote users, please note that individual desktop machines are not
guaranteed to be online at all times. Machines may need to be shut
down for maintenance or may evevn be replaced for various reasons.
The linux and login services are guaranteed
to be available.

Where can I store files?

Several classes of file storage space are available within the
department, the main distinction between them being the types of
backups performed on them. A detailed
discussion about the filesystems is available. When storing
files, the user should consider the purpose of the files; the user's
home directory is quota-limited,
but this space is also comes with the highest guarantee of availabilty
and data protection. It is not the best choice for large, temporary
files. For large temporary file space, please consider /usr/xtmp
or the /var/tmp/local area on your desktop machine.
Research projects will often maintain large storage spaces in the
/usr/project hierarchy; please contact your advisor about
gaining access to this space.

I accidentally deleted or changed my file, how can I
recover it?

Most filesystems in the department have snapshots,
a type of online backup, from which the user can retrieve files on their own.
Snapshots are taken at intervals during the day, as well as nightly and
monthly.

For filesystems which do not have snapshots, users can submit a
request to the Lab Staff to retrieve files from
our tape backups.

Can I use my own computer on the department network? On the
wireless network? Can I administer my own desktop machine?

Users may bring in their own machines and request access to the
untrusted network.
Do not disconnect department machines from the network!.
Placing your own machine on the incorrect network will generate an
alert to the Lab Staff and that network port will be deactivated.

The department no longer maintains a wireless network, but instead
relies upon the Duke OIT
wireless network. For more information, please see the
instructions for registering for
wireless access.

Students and faculty may also choose to
administer their own
department-provided desktop machines. Users interested in this
option should first contact
the Lab Staff; changes must be made to the machine and it's
network before it can be handed over
to the user. The Lab Staff can provide OS installs from a limited
choice of options, but the user will be responsible for all machine
administration. Users should not remove the machines from their
office.

How can I access my email from outside the department?

Email may be accessed by any mail client which can accept
secureIMAP or
POP connections. The lab also maintains a
web-based email client. Remote users can also
originate email through the department server by using an
authenticated SMTP connection.
Users may also choose to forward
their email to an external address.

How can I get software that I need?

On the trusted Linux machines, the Lab staff
will generally be happy to globally install whatever software is
needed. If the user's requirements cannot be met this way,
the desktop machine assigned to the user can be turned over
to their full control. The Lab staff will provide as much
help as reasonable in setting the machine up, if desired.

The Lab also has some Windows software availble through the
MSDNAA program. This program is available
only to Computer Science faculty, staff, graduate students and
undergraduate majors. Users can download a limited set of software
titles for free from this program. Specifically, most
Microsoft Office programs
are not available through this program, and
the Lab does not generally have these title available.

In addition OIT provides
a list of
site-licensed software, available to the Duke community. Any
software not covered by these options will generally need to be
purchased by the user, or will require consulting with the department
managers.

I'm having problem printing...

Generally there are at least 2
public printers on each floor.
are encouraged to notify the lab staff during office hours if a
printer is not working. Printing paper and other printer supplies
can be obtained Gail Smith on the
first floor, additionally the administrative
staff on each floor may have access to supplies for the printers
on the floor they are located on.

I did not find my question here.

If you did not find the answer to your question here, please
try the general CS Lab FAQ, or
the collection of CS Lab FAQ pages.
If all else fails, feel free to contact
the Lab Staff.